How to Care for Azaleas: Home Care Methods
A brief knowledge of life, regarding the home care methods for azaleas and the tips for maintaining these green plants. Let's learn about it together.
Azaleas are one of China's top ten famous flowers, and they can be considered superior flowers. Whether planted in the ground or as potted plants, they are very suitable. Azaleas bloom beautifully, but they are not easy to cultivate. Sometimes they bloom well one year, but by the second year, they start to show yellow leaves, and by the third year, they become bare sticks. Mastering the cultivation methods of azaleas is necessary to care for them well. Below are the home cultivation methods for azaleas.
I. Soil Requirements
Flower friends can prepare nutrient-rich soil themselves to grow azaleas. The composition of the nutrient-rich soil is garden soil, decomposed leaf soil, and sandy soil, in a ratio of 4:3:3. After two years of cultivation, it is necessary to change the potting soil.
II. Watering Requirements
For potted azaleas, watering once every three days is generally sufficient. In summer, when the weather is hot and temperatures are high, more water can be used. However, the water temperature should not differ too much from the soil temperature in any season.
When watering azaleas, tap water can be used, but freshly tap water should be left to stand in the pot for two days before using it to water the plants. Since azaleas prefer acidic environments, a small amount of ferrous sulfate should be added to the water each time you water them.
III. Temperature Requirements
A temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius is most suitable for the growth of azaleas. There is an upper limit to the highest temperature, which should not exceed 32 degrees Celsius. If it exceeds 32 degrees Celsius, the growth of azaleas will be affected.
IV. Fertilizing Requirements
Different seasons and stages require different fertilizing methods.
In winter and spring, a base fertilizer should be applied to azaleas, and every 10 days during spring and autumn, a fertilizer application is sufficient, mainly using diluted cake fertilizer. Before winter, a moderate amount of fertilizer should be applied. Household items like banana peels, orange peels, and碎骨头 (碎骨头 = crushed bones) can also be used as fertilizers. During the blooming period of azaleas, some potassium phosphate should be applied.
V. Proper Pruning
During the growing season of azaleas, diseased branches, weak branches, and dense branches should be pruned, as well as the remaining flowers.
The above introduction to the home care methods for azaleas and detailed explanation of the maintenance tips are for reference and suggestion only!